Sen Dim, who is from Myanmar, works on her project about Bhutan. (School News Network)
Kentwood: ‘All Their Stories Come Together’
In Valleywood Middle School teacher Jane Van Hof’s seventh grade English class — a portrait of diversity in itself– students are studying the stories of people forced to flee their native lands. For the project, dubbed “A Refugee Story,” they are delving into research on refugees and learning about those in their community. What did they learn? Click here to find out.
Andrea Donovan preps her students for the human catapult as part of a collaborative STEAM-PE week. (School News Network)
Godfrey-Lee: Human catapult, shadow-dodging teaches movement & so much more
Here’s a story gathering some STEAM: A group of Godfrey-Lee teachers have come up with games that are more than just play, but may create builders, engineers and life-long physical fitness buffs just by introducing unique ways to keep fit and create while doing it. To learn how they are accomplishing this, click here.
For more stories on area schools, visit the School News Network website schoolnewsnetwork.org.
The box-shaped, motor-propelled robot scuttled across the floor of Buck Creek, with Valleywood Middle School eighth grader Amaya Eggleston controlling it via remote.
“That’s so cool!” said Amaya, who helped build the marine ‘bot with classmates Ajla Lelek, Sarah Vokoviak and Sumayah Hanson and teacher Bobbijo Zoerhof.
The robot took its first dip on a recent afternoon. It will play a significant role in an eighth-grade community project, a year-long environmental study of the creek and its levels of pollutants. Teachers and students are working on the project with funding help from Groundswell, a coalition of community partners creating opportunities for hands-on environmental learning.
Sumayah Hanson controls the underwater robot. (School News Network)
The robot is powered by three motors and equipped with a camera that shows images of the creek floor onto a fish-finder screen. The girls are using a 3D printer to make sensor boxes and tube endings. While they are still tweaking and tinkering, the robot can already move through the creek and record underwater images on its camera.
The robot will soon be used to test the water for phosphates, nitrates, turbidity, pH level and temperature. Social studies teacher Bobbijo Zoerhof and English teacher Jane Van Hof have classes assigned with studying and recording levels throughout the year, which they expect could vary due to water runoff. They will present findings to neighbors and post readings on a website.
“I love making this stuff with my team,” Amaya said. “It’s exciting to know we can help more than ourselves just doing this. I hope it helps people — the students at our school — to know what our water’s like.”
The project is cross-curricular, involving reading and writing in English Language Arts and mapping a region and environmental laws in social studies.
Students read the book “A Long Walk to Water”, about an 11-year-old African girl who regularly walks eight hours to fetch water from a pond.
Valleywood students correlated the story to the mapping of fresh water, and also the robot with water quality testing. In social studies, they focus on how humans interact with their environment.
“The robot connects with fresh, healthy water, where to locate the water and how to keep the water supply healthy,” Zoerhof said.
The underwater robot includes motors, a tether, fishfinder and camera. (School News Network)
Multifaceted Outdoor Learning
Zoerhof and VanHof partnered with Groundswell, which is housed in the College of Education at Grand Valley State University, by attending an outdoor learning session in October at Garfield Park.
Zoerhof said she learned about remote operated vehicles from a workshop years ago, and came up with the idea to use one to collect water samples. The girls will head to the creek several times this school year to control the robot as it gathers samples. This eliminates the need for students to gather icy samples themselves.
The robot will collect water samples over the course of the school year. (School News Network)
“We thought, ‘Why don’t we use the robot to test the water year round instead of having a student do it? Plus, with the camera, it can see to the depth that we can’t,” Zoerhof said.
Before the robot began its submarine-like mission, students this fall mapped the schoolyard, sketching and with Google Maps to analyze water runoff patterns and natural features of the landscape. They will also plant a native nursery, also funded by Groundswell, on the creek’s edges and study whether the plants impact pollutant levels.
Zoerhof chose the girls to work with the robot because of their interest, both in STEM-related learning and the outdoors. The girls have also worked with 3D printing.
“I hope we can show all the pollution that’s in there and people will help clean it and get rid of what causes more pollution,” said Ajla.
Added Sara: “It’s a big privilege to know you are a part of something that can make things better.”
For stories on area schools, visit the School News Network website, schoolnewsnetwork.org.
Valleywood Middle School students noshed on pizza and sipped milk while listening to synopses of popular teen reads, which they would later have the chance to check out.
“Hiccup is the smallest viking on the island, and his dad is the strong bearded muscle-y viking, and really wants Hiccup to grow up and become a big, strong viking like himself,” O’Tsuji said. “But Hiccup is Hiccup, and they have to find and train a dragon.”
Seventh-grader Elizabeth King has a slice while learning about books. (School News Network)
The Gaines Township Branch youth paraprofessional also presented on “Moo” by Sharon-Creech and “Ghost” by Jason Reynolds. Literary Lunch, a partnership with KDL, has drawn students in for books sessions during lunch for the past two years so they can learn about titles and check them out.
“I usually bring a lot of new books and graphic books, ones that the schools don’t have readily accessible in big volumes,” she said. “It gives students a break from the school day, and if I can introduce new and exciting books that might not be what they usually read… it’s always a strong way to create good readers.”
Seventh-grader Byron Buter chooses two new KDL books to check out. (School News Network)
She also does a 10-minute read-aloud and has encouraged students to sign up for library cards, which nearly all students now have, thanks to the library partnership.
“I can only stock so many books, so it opens up another entire world of availability that I can necessarily provide,” added Dani Rieker, Valleywood media clerk. “Being able to partner with KDL has been fantastic.”
Seventh-grader Byron Buter settled down to read from KDL books he was checking out. “We get to pick from a whole bunch of different books and hope we find something that’s interesting,” he said.
There was a lot of chopping, dicing and tossing going on at Valleywood Middle School, where students learn culinary basics — and get to taste the results.
Seventh-grader Arianna Cruz holds up her finished salad
Cooking club, an extracurricular activity that’s been offered to sixth-through-eighth graders for more than a decade, brings students together for an hour and 15 minutes to learn to cook, from food prep to finished dish. “I’m a big believer in making things from scratch,” said instructor Cheryl Meyer, a volunteer who loves to cook for her family. “I really want to empower kids so they can make things from scratch, so they can go to the grocery store, look at a recipe and know they can make anything.”
On a recent afternoon, about a dozen students prepared cabbage ramen noodle salad, each challenged with adding their own flair such as apples to add tang, or carrots and broccoli to create a medley of veggies.
There’s a different recipe each session with fried chicken, gravy and biscuits being among the most popular. Students get to take their dishes home. “I do want the kids to know food is a blessing for their friends and families,” Meyer said.
Eighth-grader Mari’azia Broyles wants to be a baker someday and is thinking about launching a cooking vlog. “I’ve learned how to use knives and things the right way, and what not to do. I like cooking!”
Seventh-grader Zachary Kwekel has a personal goal for the class. “One day I hope to make breakfast for my mom.”
In U.S. History teacher Tyler Pettit’s class, ninth-graders formed arguments on the treatment of Japanese Americans during World War II. While students debated, others pulled up information on laptops to support their points and make counterpoints as to whether actions were justified. They sat in a “fish bowl” style, in a circular formation.
A new wide open space with lots of technology made the activity run smoothly, Pettit said. Students gathered in the Collaboration Center, a large wide-open space fully equipped with technology, such as large screens affixed to the walls, a huge screen on the wall of a stage and ample outlets, plus comfy furniture, moveable desks, and breakout rooms. It’s an optimal environment for group work, presentations, skits and instruction that requires movement and engagement, said teachers and students.
“It allows for students to learn how they want to learn. It allows for ownership really; that’s the biggest thing,” Pettit said.
Students say they love the open-space concept in the Collaboration Center at East Kentwood Freshman Campus
“Everything is very cutting edge,” added Principal Andy Kolzow. “It allows students to innovate. It allows teachers to be creative in their lesson planning and create more engaging lessons.
As the facility improvements made possible through a $64.8 million bond passed in November 2015 continue to take shape, the district is coming together – literally – in big, open spaces at all 16 schools and the Kentwood Administration Building, 5820 Eastern Ave. SE.
“One of the centerpieces of the bond was for each school have a Collaboration Center,” said Superintendent Mike Zoerhoff.
Collaboration Centers were built over the past two years at several schools including Valleywood and Crestwood middle schools, East Kentwood High School and Freshman Campus and Glenwood, Bowen and Explorer elementary schools. All will be built by 2021. At the elementary level, the centers serve as redesigned media centers blending features of a traditional library with the collaboration-center concept.
Zoerhoff said technology in the centers will be kept up to date, with bond money set aside to replenish equipment and devices.
Students are enjoying the spaces for many subjects and uses. “It’s not a classroom, and that helps because we are so used to being in a classroom seven hours a day,” said freshman Sylvia Shaver. “It’s nice to be in an open space with comfy seating.”
“I like being in here because it’s bigger and it’s not like being in a box,” added freshman Madison Rogers.
Tables, desk and other seating areas allow students to collaborate easily
A Community Hub
While students are using Collaboration Centers for academic purpose, a space under construction with plans to open in January at the Administration Building will bring together community groups. It will be a venue available for rent, with space for 50 to 100 people to meet, use technology, and have another connection to the schools.
“Kentwood Public Schools is a hub for the community and surrounding communities.
We love to have our facilities used because the taxpayers paid for them,” Zoerhoff said.
He envisions it as space for government and business partners to meet and as a professional development hub for teachers. “We appreciate the community support and want to make sure we are a community school and share these facilities with the surrounding community.”
Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.
Reading and traveling are favorite hobbies of Justin Mathes, new Valleywood principal. He also always sports a long, full beard
By Erin Albanese
School News Network
Justin Mathes began in education by tutoring youth at various schools, now the new Valleywood Middle School Principal.
What and where was your previous job? I was middle-school assistant principal at Knapp Charter Academy.
Degrees: I have a bachelor of arts in elementary education and master’s in educational leadership from Grand Valley State University.
Other positions you have held in education: I taught sixth grade (all subjects), seventh- and eighth-grade history, and was middle-school assistant principal at Ridge Park Charter Academy.
How about jobs outside education? I worked retail at MC Sports.
New Valleywood Principal Justin Mathes looks for good teen-level books
Besides getting to know the staff and families, what are you most looking forward to as principal here? I look forward to working with the staff on growth and proficiency for our students and working to increase parental involvement to take advantage of parents’ skills. A lot of parents have skills I don’t have and I’d love to get them into the building!
What kind of kid were you at the age of students at this new school? I was very quiet. I rarely did homework. I didn’t really participate in school much. I attended because it was compulsory. I probably missed over 100 days during my high-school career. Once I got a car, it was easy to turn left instead of right (the opposite direction of school). It was shocking to people who knew me to learn I was going into education, and it still is shocking to them to know I am leading a building!
So, what led you to go from not liking school to becoming an educator? I went to college at Iowa State University for three weeks, attended zero classes, and my mom pulled me out. I got a job in retail, but realized that wasn’t what I wanted to do with my life. The person who is now my wife encouraged me to volunteer, tutoring youth at various schools. That led me to go into education.
I fell in love with middle school! I think it’s that the fact that I didn’t love school and I can talk to them about that. I want to intervene before they get to that point of missing 100 days of school and withdrawing from high school.
Spouse: Tricia Mathes, assistant principal for Grand Rapids Public Museum School
New Valleywood Principal Justin Mathes finds Stargirl, a favorite book, on the media center shelves
Hobbies/Interests: Traveling and reading. My wife and I have the exact same job schedule, which allows us to take some lengthy trips. Favorite trips are anywhere I’ve been to in Mexico, including Huatulco and Puerto Vallarta.
I read primarily young adult fiction so I can keep up with what the kids are reading, and horror.
What inspires you, both in your educational role and in your own life? It’s working with kids. All of the paperwork will be here after the kids leave. I want to be in classrooms, in the hallway, in the cafeteria, talking with them. If I wanted to do paperwork I would have gone into accounting.
What makes you laugh (we bet you’ll say kids – what else?) Middle school humor. My wife would say I haven’t grown up past age 13 or 14. That’s why I get along with the kids so well.
What would people be surprised to learn about you? I really disliked school and I had no idea I would be in charge of one 23 years later.
Tell us about a non-professional book you recommend and why: Stargirl, by Jerry Spinelli
A drop of water can go along way and pick up a lot on its journey. Kentwood’s Valleywood Middle School students learned this while examining what’s in the water from wells in Byron Center, Rockford, Caledonia, Wayland, Kentwood and other area municipalities, as well as in tap water from their schools and homes.
Seventh-graders watched water brought in by science teacher Michael Faber turning colors, testing positive for iron and copper, and indicating pH levels as they shook up vials.
Students identified different minerals present in well versus tap water, noting the “hardness” of well water, and learned about how contaminants can have an identifiable source or come from runoff.
“It’s important we know what’s in the water so we are drinking healthy water,” said seventh-grader Alija Nukisic.
The science lab in Faber’s class provided a glimpse of what’s in area groundwater as students thought about impacts of human water usage and pollution. For World Water Day March 22, they discussed water supplies around the world and its scarcity.
Seven-grader T.J. Scott tests a sample while Saurab Pradhan, behind him, and Adan Moran watch for results.
Water Flows Through Classes
The lab was part of seventh graders’ extensive “Water is Life” study, a project-based learning cross-curricular unit, planned by English teacher Jane Van Hof. Students have also studied the watershed in Africa and read the book, “A Long Walk to Water,” by Linda Sue Park, about the Lost Boys of Sudan. They wrote research papers on “How does human activity influence water sustainability?”
They heard presentations from local experts including John Gorney, city of Kentwood Public Works director; Joanna Allerhand, environmental scientist from Groundswell; and Mike Roon, who is retired from the city of Wyoming and has built water systems in Ecuador.
The study will end with a field trip to the Grand Rapids Public Museum to see the Water’s Extreme Journey exhibit.
Faber’s class discussed contamination and pollution, as seen in Flint with lead and the Rockford area with PFAS recently. Seventh-grader Chad Horrell said it’s important to think about what’s in the water they drink and be aware of pollutants. “It could harm us health-wise and mentally,” he said.
Seventh-grader Amari Taylor pours a water sample into a vial
“What happened in Flint was they had too much lead in their water and that caused people to get sick,” added seventh-grader Natalee Redd.
Students said they found differences in unsoftened well water and tap water when it came to mineral content. “It’s way foggier than tap water,” Chad said.
Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.
Mark Wood performs with the Kentwood Middle School Orchestras. (Photo from Electrify Your Strings)
An original member of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Emmy Award-winning composer will perform with the Kentwood Public school students this week.
Mark Wood will perform with students in the Kentwood Middle School Orchestras at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, at the East Kentwood Fine Arts Auditorium, located at the high school on 6230 Kalamazoo Ave. SE.
Wood, an international recording artist known as the creator for his revolutionary Viper electric violin, brought his groundbreaking music education program “Electrify Your Strings! (EYS)” to the district’s Crestwood, Valleywood, and Pinewood Middle Schools, turning the student musicians into a full-fledged rock orchestra.
“Mark Wood and the EYS program have taught my students the value of both playing music well and the importance of putting on a great performance,” said Kentwood Orchestra Director Ingrid Dykeman.
The EYS program – now in its 18t h year – is a music education experience. Wood and his team work directly with a school’s orchestra director to tailor-design a rock orchestra makeover complete with a public performance at the end of the experience. EYS builds on the strong foundation in traditional music provided by music teachers; creating a partnership with educators that inspires students and boosts their self-esteem and motivation on stage and off. EYS has been featured on “The Today Show,” “The CBS Evening News,” and many more.
Wood will be performing with the students on his handcrafted seven-string fretted electric Viper violin as part of the 2017-2018 Electrify Your Strings! “No Limits Tour.” The Friday performance will include some of Wood’s original material, as well as his arrangements of music by Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, and more.
Wood is the owner and operator of Wood Violins, the premier manufacturer of electric orchestra string instruments worldwide. He studied under Maestro Leonard Bernstein, is a Juilliard-trained violinist and Emmy-winning composer. In addition to his solo career and his work with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Wood has worked with Celine Dion, Lenny Kravitz, Billy Joel and others.
To prepare for this concert, Wood will be teaching the students improvisation, composition, and personal expression on their violins, violas, cellos and basses. Utilizing Wood’s music arrangements that were sent to the district prior to this visit, the Kentwood Middle School Orchestras will perform in a live concert alongside Wood. The concert is open to the public with all profits going to the school music programs.
Eighth-grader Hien-Tran Bui entered coding commands for her website focused on tips for putting on makeup. She had just learned the basics of site-building from women who work in the Information technology field. Nearby, eighth-grader Mya Proctor designed a website about activities to do when you’re bored.
“I learned how to code and add links,” said Hien-Tran, who realized the information will be valuable in many fields including what she’s interested in: health care.
Eighteen seventh- and eighth-grade girls from Valleywood Middle School recently attended BitCamp, hosted by Software GR, a nonprofit association dedicated to building and supporting the software design and development community in West Michigan. The opportunity at Amway World Headquarters, in Ada, connected girls with women who work in local IT jobs for a day of coding and website creation. Instructors came from Amway, OST, Spectrum Healthand Software GR.
Eighth-grader Sandrine Ishimwe looks at her website with Anna Godfrey, Valleywood guidance secretary
Hien-Tran said she was impressed to learn from women who took various education paths to get to IT careers. Mya, who wants to become a teacher, agreed.
“Before I came here, I didn’t even know what I was doing,” Mya said. “I’m inspired to do more and go beyond my teaching career and do something like this.”
Showing Girls What’s Out There
BitCamp is a great opportunity to get girls out into the IT field, said Nancy McKenzie, Kentwood Public Schools STEM coordinator, who works to connect students with hands-on, real-world experiences. Girls from other Kentwood middle schools, Crestwood and Pinewood, have also attended or will later this semester.
According to Made with Code, while 74 percent of girls express interest in middle school, they at some point get turned off to science, technology, engineering and math careers. Only 0.4 percent of female college freshmen plan to major in computer science, even though CS jobs will be the highest-paying sectors over the next decade, paying almost $15,000 more than average.
“There is quite a lack of women in these fields,” McKenzie said. “And if they are interested, once they go to school and finish college, they can pretty much write their own ticket because there is such a huge gap of females in this industry.”
Having women teach BitCamp shows girls possibilities, she added: “It empowers them. They see these women doing these type of jobs and knowing that it’s something out there that’s needed now and in the future. It gives them exposure to something they can look into later.
From left, seventh-grader Alianny Daniel; Brittany Nielson, application developer for Spectrum Health; and eighth-grader Nhi Tong work on their websites
“It’s nice for the girls to see women that do these kinds of jobs, so they can have a model about what’s possible.”
Eighth-grader Katelynn Smallwood said she liked the in-depth instruction she received from the women. She hopes to be a medical transcriptionist someday.
“It’s inspirational,” Katelynn said. “It’s not just men who can do the job. There are opportunities for women.”
For Girls Too
Instructors, who presented their stories about going through college and into IT fields, said they hope girls start thinking young about going into what are currently male-dominated fields.
Brittany Nielson, application developer for Spectrum Health, said she knows how it feels to be the only girl in the room.
“When you are a woman going into a tech field that’s mostly men, it’s kind of intimidating,” Nelson said. “We want to make sure women are confident in themselves and their skills when they enter that environment so they can come join our workforce.”
